Bit the Bullet
Jun 8, 2012 17:34:21 #
Okay, I did it... went against the advice of my local camera shop and put my order in for an Olympus OD EM-5 from Adorama. The local folks are not carrying Oly out of fear of the recent scandal re: the CEO. I learned this when I inquired about the PEN EP-3. They pushed me toward the Sony NEX-7 instead. My guess is they are committed to the Big 3 (largely due to their being a fairly small operation), though my rather extensive research (which included input from some of you... thanks!) tells me that not only is the EM-5 a better choice than the NEX-7 (at least for me), but Oly is going to be just fine, even if they do have to be propped up by Panasonic. I just won't be getting local support, should I need it. I do trust Adorama, however to provide me the support I might need. Any observations from my fellow UHHers?
Jun 8, 2012 17:42:19 #
rhyde wrote:
Okay, I did it... went against the advice of my lo... (show quote)
Let us know how you like the camera. You will have worn it out or be upgrading to a new 3D model before Olympus is no longer supported. Fear not, take lots of pictures, and mail in that warranty card.
Jun 8, 2012 20:11:27 #
the reviews on the retro oly are ALL very positive in photo mags on both sides of the atlantic. Pop photo has not done its intensive lab and field tests yet, but its initial overview, they liked it very much. UK black and white photography ( a really cool magazine) also liked it. Oly will be around, maybe with new corprate owners like pentax is.
Jun 8, 2012 20:28:00 #
Jun 8, 2012 20:53:58 #
I have a 10 year old Oly point and shoot and can sitll get tech support. Great cameras
Jun 8, 2012 22:16:46 #
It may be awhile before it is delivered (I make it sound like a baby, don't I?) but I love my D7000. Somehow, I think it will suffice until the new arrival :). I wanted a small shooter to go in my briefcase.
Jun 9, 2012 03:38:21 #
rhyde wrote:
Okay, I did it... went against the advice of my lo... (show quote)
Although I adamantly support local retailers, there comes a point where, if the local dealer refuses to work with you, you have to go somewhere else. And let your local dealer know what you did and why you did it. I don't care who tries it; I don't like "Bait and Switch" tactics!
Jun 9, 2012 06:15:56 #
What I like about the OM-5 is the fast focus, compared to sony 7 and fuji's, and its ability to get sharp focused pic's.
Also like the built-in image stabilization system.
Good choice, really like the EP3 too, but 16 mp sensor better in the OM-5.
Congrats, show some pic's when u get it!
Also like the built-in image stabilization system.
Good choice, really like the EP3 too, but 16 mp sensor better in the OM-5.
Congrats, show some pic's when u get it!
Jun 9, 2012 08:15:04 #
Bill41, I too like to support my local guy. Got my D7000 from him. It wasn't really a bait-and-switch. They had some EP-2s at a slight discount, and they would have supported it had I bought it. It just wasn't what I was looking for. I handled the NEX-7. Didn't like the viewfinder on the left side of the camera. I'm a right-eye shooter and it just felt... well, dorky. From what I've seen and read re: the EM-5, it's going to be just what I need.
Jun 9, 2012 19:31:33 #
Hi, I'm a newbie from the UK and as of yet I've not introduced myself.
I've been following this forum for a little while now but not yet made a contribution.
However I had to tell you (rhyde) I am a D7000 user, getting long in the tooth and shaking like a leaf on a tree after walking to the top of a hill looking for a pano to play with. My old Nikon bag of goodies was beginning to feel like a ball and chain and I'm not sure if the tripod is for holding up my camera or me these days.
Anyway, to the point. I bought an E-M5 just two weeks ago and all I can say is I think you'll be glad you bit the bullet. This camera is fast and sharp even for an old shaky like me. The IQ is a pleasant surprise, you'll see. I have a Panasonic 20mm 1:1.7 pancake and the 12-50mm 1:3.3 - 6.3 kit lens which has hardly been off the camera. I'm planning to buy something a bit longer in the future.
Like the D7000 this M5 can almost shoot a black cat in a coal hole with a bit of care. It's light and a joy to use once you get used to it. Ah! but there's the rub. Olympus provide you with a poor excuse for a user manual, in my opinion, badly written and hard to understand, (and I'm no Bard).
I downloaded a copy in advance to give me a head start before buying the camera, glad I did. If you want a copy check out the link below.
http://olympusamerica.com/files/oima_cckb/E-M5_Instruction_Manual_EN.pdf
Hard going at first but worth it in the end. Makes a bit of bullet chewing quite tasty.
Oh! I forgot to mention, the hot shoe cover is easy to lose, in fact I've lost mine already. Not so sure this new born is really splash proof without it. Looks like I'll be logging on to eBay or somewhere soon. Damn it! So soon!!!
Hope you have as much fun with it as I'm having. :thumbup:
I've been following this forum for a little while now but not yet made a contribution.
However I had to tell you (rhyde) I am a D7000 user, getting long in the tooth and shaking like a leaf on a tree after walking to the top of a hill looking for a pano to play with. My old Nikon bag of goodies was beginning to feel like a ball and chain and I'm not sure if the tripod is for holding up my camera or me these days.
Anyway, to the point. I bought an E-M5 just two weeks ago and all I can say is I think you'll be glad you bit the bullet. This camera is fast and sharp even for an old shaky like me. The IQ is a pleasant surprise, you'll see. I have a Panasonic 20mm 1:1.7 pancake and the 12-50mm 1:3.3 - 6.3 kit lens which has hardly been off the camera. I'm planning to buy something a bit longer in the future.
Like the D7000 this M5 can almost shoot a black cat in a coal hole with a bit of care. It's light and a joy to use once you get used to it. Ah! but there's the rub. Olympus provide you with a poor excuse for a user manual, in my opinion, badly written and hard to understand, (and I'm no Bard).
I downloaded a copy in advance to give me a head start before buying the camera, glad I did. If you want a copy check out the link below.
http://olympusamerica.com/files/oima_cckb/E-M5_Instruction_Manual_EN.pdf
Hard going at first but worth it in the end. Makes a bit of bullet chewing quite tasty.
Oh! I forgot to mention, the hot shoe cover is easy to lose, in fact I've lost mine already. Not so sure this new born is really splash proof without it. Looks like I'll be logging on to eBay or somewhere soon. Damn it! So soon!!!
Hope you have as much fun with it as I'm having. :thumbup:
Jun 9, 2012 19:58:05 #
Panoman, good to hear from you. Thanks for the insight. Have been to the UK. Spent the summer of 03 in Scotland and ventured down to Northumberland. We're eager to return. Best people in the world!
Evidently, the waiting period for the EM-5 is fairly long. I have no idea when it might arrive. I ordered the kit with the 12-50 and separately ordered the 17. I wanted a camera that would fit easily in my briefcase. My 7000, along with my battery grip, is just too big for that. But it's a great camera, and I'm hardly going to put it on the shelf.
The link you gave me to the user's manual is greatly appreciated. I will download it onto my iPad and study it carefully. I think I will have the time to do it before the camera arrives!
BTW, I don't keep the hotshoe cover on my D7000. I put it in a small ziplock bag and keep it in my camera case. I put it on only when I travel.
Again, thanks for your help and welcome to UHH.
Evidently, the waiting period for the EM-5 is fairly long. I have no idea when it might arrive. I ordered the kit with the 12-50 and separately ordered the 17. I wanted a camera that would fit easily in my briefcase. My 7000, along with my battery grip, is just too big for that. But it's a great camera, and I'm hardly going to put it on the shelf.
The link you gave me to the user's manual is greatly appreciated. I will download it onto my iPad and study it carefully. I think I will have the time to do it before the camera arrives!
BTW, I don't keep the hotshoe cover on my D7000. I put it in a small ziplock bag and keep it in my camera case. I put it on only when I travel.
Again, thanks for your help and welcome to UHH.
Jun 9, 2012 20:17:38 #
saichiez
Loc: Beautiful Central Oregon
What a load of BS...
When I go to a camera dealer, I want them to answer my questions on camera's I am interested in. It's no matter of theirs about the financial status of the companies who made the camera's.
OK, so Olympus got caught in some financial shenanigans...
Sony and Panasonic are both in the middle of each laying off a huge number of employees.... are those not also financial shenanigans. They can't control their profits and income.
How is any of that connected with my choice of camera's based on the very good reviews I can read from users and professional reviewers?
I've a local vendor whose employer sells Fuji, and he will be the first to tell you how horrible Fuji's are all the way up to the counter to collect your money.
I hope his manager hears him complaining about the Fuji's one day and cans his ass on the spot.
It's none of the local vendors' business to bad mouth product. How much disservice is it to those who don't have any idea what to buy?
Then they complain about people not supporting local business's
When I go to a camera dealer, I want them to answer my questions on camera's I am interested in. It's no matter of theirs about the financial status of the companies who made the camera's.
OK, so Olympus got caught in some financial shenanigans...
Sony and Panasonic are both in the middle of each laying off a huge number of employees.... are those not also financial shenanigans. They can't control their profits and income.
How is any of that connected with my choice of camera's based on the very good reviews I can read from users and professional reviewers?
I've a local vendor whose employer sells Fuji, and he will be the first to tell you how horrible Fuji's are all the way up to the counter to collect your money.
I hope his manager hears him complaining about the Fuji's one day and cans his ass on the spot.
It's none of the local vendors' business to bad mouth product. How much disservice is it to those who don't have any idea what to buy?
Then they complain about people not supporting local business's
Jun 11, 2012 04:27:56 #
Dun1
Loc: Atlanta, GA
Glad you pulled the trigger or right clicked and made the purchase. Just remember one thing "the local camera store" is in business to sell what they stock or what they have in stock. The advantage that the local camera store has is if they have something you want to purchase and they have a price that is on par with Adorama, B&H etc that is their strong suit. No matter what faults the CEO at Olympus might have done I don't know that it will affect you as the end user. If it is the camera you chose and want don't let the local camera store guy attempt to steer you away.
Jun 11, 2012 08:53:23 #
Dun1,
My daughter and her family live in Macon, so I get to Atlanta occasionally. Who are the local vendors there?
My daughter and her family live in Macon, so I get to Atlanta occasionally. Who are the local vendors there?
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.